Automated pharmaceutical bottle information removal apparatus

Abstract

An automated pharmaceutical bottle label information removal system is disclosed that removes protected health information (PHI) printed on labels of prescription pharmaceutical bottles. The system uses heat to automatically remove the PHI from the labels. The heat applied by the system is relatively low, making it safe in hospitals, pharmacies, and other medical locations. When heat is applied, the system removes the PHI from the labels by heat-induced blackout redaction. To entirely blacken out the label and redact the PHI, the system automatically aligns and rotates the bottle on roller wheels while heat from a heat bar is applied to the surface of the bottle along the thermal adhesive label. As the bottle rotates, the heat from the heat bar would be evenly applied to the thermal adhesive label, resulting in blackout redaction of the entire label, including the PHI printed on the label.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An automated pharmaceutical bottle label information removal system comprising:
 a base platform;   a plurality of spring loaded jaws connected to the base platform configured to open up in an open configuration to allow placement of a pill bottle and further configured to close down on the pill bottle placed in position for blackout redaction of personal health information (PHI) printed on a label attached to an external surface of the pill bottle;   a plurality of rollers configured to rotate the pill bottle when the pill bottle is placed in position for blackout redaction of the PHI printed on the label;   a motor attached to the base platform with a linear drive-line connected to a driving gear;   a driven gear connected to the driving gear and a first roller in the plurality of rollers, wherein the driven gear is configured to rotate the first roller when the motor turns the drive-line connected to the driving gear, wherein a second roller in the plurality of rollers rotates as the pill bottle rotates;   a thermostatically controlled heat bar that heats up to a preferred temperature configured to obscure the PHI printed on the label of the pill bottle;   an LED display screen configured to visually output information while performing blackout redaction of the PHI printed on the label of the pill bottle;   a power switch to toggle power on and off;   a plurality of indicator lights that illuminate to indicate a state of a plurality of critical components, wherein the plurality of critical components comprise the heat bar and a particular indicator light that illuminates in a first color when temperature of the heat bar is below a preferred temperature, in a second color when the temperature of the heat bar is at the preferred temperature, and in a third color when the temperature of the heat bar is above the preferred temperature;   a start button which, when turned on, is configured to start blackout redaction of the PHI printed on the label of the pill bottle;   a spring-loaded alignment plate for securing a top lid of the pill bottle;   a U-shaped alignment plate for securing a bottom lip portion of the top lid of the pill bottle   an audio speaker configured to audibly output one or more of an audio alarm, a tone, and an automated voice prompting to indicate a status; and   a plurality of rubberized feet under the base platform to elevate the base platform above a ground surface.   
     
     
         2 . The automated pharmaceutical bottle label information removal system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spring loaded jaws comprises four spring-loaded jaws, wherein each spring-loaded jaw in the plurality of spring loaded jaws comprises a plurality of passive roller wheels configured to contact the pill bottle in the closed configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The automated pharmaceutical bottle label information removal system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermostatically controlled heat bar comprises a silicone sheet that covers an outer surface of the heat bar. 
     
     
         4 . The automated pharmaceutical bottle label information removal system of  claim 1 , wherein the information visually output onto the LED display screen comprises one or more of operational status information, rolling speed data, and heat bar temperature data. 
     
     
         5 . The automated pharmaceutical bottle label information removal system of  claim 1  further comprising scroll buttons for display and adjusting speed of the rollers and temperature of the heat bar. 
     
     
         6 . The automated pharmaceutical bottle label information removal system of  claim 1  further comprising a plunger to automatically kick the pill bottle into a collection container after blackout redaction of the PHI printed on the label is completed. 
     
     
         7 . The automated pharmaceutical bottle label information removal system of  claim 6  further comprising a chute to direct the pill bottle kicked out by the plunger into the collection container. 
     
     
         8 . The automated pharmaceutical bottle label information removal system of  claim 7 , wherein the spring-loaded alignment plate comprises a hinge to lower a top portion of the alignment plate to open an area for ejection of the pill bottle by the plunger. 
     
     
         9 . The automated pharmaceutical bottle label information removal system of  claim 1  further comprising a fan to help prevent overheating and maintain function. 
     
     
         10 . The automated pharmaceutical bottle label information removal system of  claim 9 , further comprising a back alignment plate, wherein the fan comprises a vented fan along the back alignment plate.